I-Team: IG report slams former Taxicab Bureau director

Hull dismissed from post last week

A report from the Office of the Inspector General, completed nearly three months ago, blasts the former director of the City's Taxicab Bureau, leveling charges of neglect of duty and negligence against him.

The city of New Orleans and the administration of Mayor Mitch Landrieu prides itself on being forward-thinking, trying to attract new technology-related business to a city accused, at times, of being stuck in the past.

Transportation and walking-tour workers are threatening to file a federal lawsuit against the city of New Orleans and several of its employees, after a tour guide was allegedly roughed up by a city inspector during an incident over the weekend.

* Hull failed to ensure that TCB files were properly organized and maintained, costing the city by failing to collect fees and fines

The investigation was launched at the request of First Deputy Mayor and CAO Andy Kopplin. It followed a series of controversies involving the bureau.

In November, the WDSU I-Team reported that Hull had sent a letter to the upstart car-for-hire service Uber threatening arrests and sanctions if the company began operations in New Orleans.

Protesters demanded Hull's resignation that same month, after an inspector for the bureau allegedly roughed up a woman leading a tour through the French Quarter. Though he did not touch the guide, Hull was present when the incident happened.

A spokesman for Mayor Mitch Landrieu acknowledged that the report factored into the decision to terminate Hull's employment last week. It was not initially made clear whether Hull had been fired or had resigned.